Vacuum cup stop mechanism for towel dispensers



Aug. 26, 1958 Fig. 3

J. L. 2122] 2,849,269 VACUUM cup STOP MECHANISM FOR TOWEL DISPENSERS Filed Sept. 2. 1954 Joseph L Z/zz/ INVENTOR.

Attorneys VACUUM CUP STOP NEECHANISM FOR TOWEL DISPENSERS Joseph L. Zizzi, Utica, N. Y., assignor to Joseph Darman, Utica, N. Y.

Application September 2, 1954, Serial No. 453,838 4 Claims. (Cl. 312-39) This invention relates to towel dispensing mechanisms, and has for its primary object the improvement in stop mechanisms therefor.

The dispensing assemblage per se, which forms no part of this invention, operates and is intended to be constructed generally along the lines of the mechanism shown and described in my copending applications, Serial No. 437,941 filed June 21, 1954, Serial No. 438,389 filed June 22, 1954, and Serial No. 444,423, filed July 20, 1954. The main feature and object of this inven tion resides in the construction and operation of the time delay and motion arresting mechanism which is utilized in conjunction with the dispensing assemblage per se and which takes the place of and is substituted for certain mechanism, readily identifiable by those skilled in the art, in my above mentioned copending applications which, although it does not alter or change the over-all principle of operation, nevertheless forms and appertains to certain improvements thereover which may be found desirable both from the standpoint of production and freedom from necessity of frequent service or repair.

An object of this invention is to provide improvements in stop mechanisms for towel dispensers wherein a suction cup member is utilized to arrest dispensing motion of related dispensing mechanism.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved stop mechanism for continuous sheet towel dispensers which incorporates an operating lever and improved mounting means therefor which operate in conjunction with a suction cup dashpot member for arresting a dispensing operation and retarding resetting of the dispensing mechanism prior to a subsequent dispensing operation.

These together with the other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, showing details of the improved stop mechanism;

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevational view showing details of the stop mechanism subsequent to disengagement between the suction cup and the side wall member and prior to a further dispensing operation;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the stop mechanism in position just subsequent to disengagement between the operating lever and the cam; and

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane of section line 44 in Figure 1 and showing the stop mechanism in a manner similar to Figures 2 and 3, but illustrating the same in that position just prior to release of the actuating or operating lever by the cam mechanism.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, ref- 2,849,269v Patented Aug. 25, 1958 ice erence numeral 10 indicates one of the side walls of the dispensing unit, the dispensing unit and cabinet construction being substantially identical to that described in my copending applications mentioned specifically hereinabove, and reference numeral 12 indicates the usual feed roll member, whereas reference numeral 14 indicates the take-up roll member. The reference numeral 16 indicates generally the cam mechanism which is rigidly secured to the axle portion 18 of the feed roll member 12 and which includes a helical ramp portion 20 and a radial abutment member 22. An operating or actuating lever assembly is indicated generally by the reference character 24 and will be seen to be pivotally mounted on the pivot pin member 26 for movement between the positions shown in Figures 2 and 4 in reactuating or operating lever is disposed laterally of the main body portion thereof and is apertured to receive a fastener member .32 which extends through a vacuum or suction cup 34 such that the vacuum cup is rigidly afiixed to this free end 30 of the lever 24. The fastener 32 is provided with a pair of lock nut members as for rigidly aflixing the vacuum cup 34 to the free end portion 30 of the lever 24, it being understood that any suitable fastening means may be provided for attaching the vacuum cup to the actuating or operating lever 24.

The operation of the stop assembly is such that when substantially a complete revolution of the feed roll member 12 has been completed, the lever 24 will have been moved from its normal position as shown in Figure 2 to a position such as that shown in Figure 3 wherein the suction cup 34 has been engaged with the wall member 10, leaving the inner end 28 of the lever in the path of movement of the abutment member 22 of the cam to prevent further dispensing action of the dispensing unit assembly. After a predetermined length of time, sufficient air will leak into the space between the vacuum cup and the side wall 10 to permit the vacuum cup to completely disengage from the side wall and return to its normal position as shown in Figure 2 whereby a subsequent dispensing action may take place. It is to be understood that with the exception of the operation of the stop mechanism, the operation is substantially identical to the assemblage as described in my copending applications, above mentioned.

As the feed roll 12 and consequently the cam 116 rotate during the dispensing operation, it will be obvious that the lever 24 will move from its initial position, as shown in Figure 2, progressively to a point of maximum deflection, such as is indicated in Figure 4 wherein the vacuum cup 34 is depressed against the surface of the side wall 10 to a maximum degree, as evidenced by the compression of the vacuum cup member in that figure. Further rotation of the feed roll 12 will permit the inner end 28 of the lever 24 to disengage from the helical cam surface 20 whereupon due to the inherent resiliency of the vacuum cup and the action of a leaf spring member 38, the lever 24 will attempt to return to its normal position, although it will be arrested from doing so b the vacuum or suction which has been created between the cup member 34 and the inner surface of the side wall 10. Figure 3 illustrates the position of the various parts immediately after the inner end 28 of the lever 24 has been disengaged from the helical cam surface 20, it being noted that the vacuum cup member 34 has become elongated substantially from the position shown in Figure 4 which is the point of maximum vacuum cup depression.

lthough it may be desirable in order to vary the time of retardation, no air bleed need be utilized in conjunction with the vacuum cup 34 to cause its disengagement from the inner surface of the side wall 10. In this respect, it will be noted that the strength of the spring 38 will be sufficient to cause the disengagement of the vacuum cup from the wall member 10, the inner surface of the wall being relatively smooth-or slick, particularly due to the fact that this plate member is fabricated from rolled stock. However, as stated, an adjustable air bleed may be provided either in the vacuum cup member itself or in the wall 10, as may be desired.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 1 and 4, it will be noted that the lever 24 is actually formed of two portions, an inner portion 40 and an outer portion 42. The inner portion 40 is kinked or bent in the region indicated by the reference character 43 to provide a seat for the cylindrical bushing member 44 and the outer portion 42 is looped or deformed, as at 46, to provide a corresponding seat for the bushing 44, the two portions being riveted together by the rivet fasteners 48 at opposite sides of these deformations such that the bushing 44- is rigidly held therebetween and the two portions are rigidly secured together in the manner shown. One of the rivets 48 also serves to rigidly secure one end of the leaf spring member 38 to the lever assembly, it being noted that the spring is secured to the underside of the lever assembly, or that side which is adjacent the inner surface of the wall 10, such that the leaf spring will bear thereagainst and normally urge the lever assembly to the position shown in Figure 2.

For the purpose of mounting the lever 24 and its associated pivot pin 26, a pair of bracket members 50 and 52 are provided. Each of the bracket members includes a base portion which is securely fastened to the plate 10, as by means of rivets 54 or 56, and the two brackets present spaced parallel upper and lower horizontal flange portions 58 and 68 respectively. The base portions of these brackets 50 and 52 are also provided at opposite sides with upper and lower vertical flange portions 62 and 64 respectively, which abut against and reinforce the spaced flange portions 58 and 60. The flange portions 58 and 60 are provided with registered apertures through which the pivot pin 26 projects for reception rotatably within the previously mentioned bushing 44 and for the purpose of properly maintaining the pivot pin in place, it will be noted that one end thereof is flattened, as at 66, and that one of the side flanges 64 receives a bolt or screw member 68 associated with a nut member 79 such that the free end of the bolt 68 engages the flattened end portion of: of the pivot pin and prevents the same from longitudinal disengagement from the flange portions 58 and 60.

This manner of connecting the lever 24 with the wall member 10 of couse provides for ready and easy attachment therewith. It is preferred that the nut member 70 be of such dimensions-that when engaged upon the bolt 68, it cannot turn due to engagement with the base portion of the associated bracket 52 and it will therefore be evident that to disengage the pin 26 from the bracket flanges 58 and 60, it is merely necessary to back the screw member 68 ofl a few turns such that the larger portion of the pin 26 may slide therepast and be disengaged from the flange portions 58 and 60.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A towel dispensing timing device for use in a towel dispenser having a pair of spaced side walls and a pair of horizontally disposed rolls journalled therebetween, said timing device comprising a cam rigid with one of said rolls and rotatable in a vertical plane therewith, said cam including a helical side portion, an abutment member secured on said roll and rotatable therewith in a vertical plane in alignment with the helical cam side portion, an operating lever pivotally secured on a vertical pivot on one of said side walls and having an end portion engageable with said helical cam side portion and said abutment member, a vacuum cup secured to the opposite end of said lever and adapted to engage and adhere to said one side wall to temporarily maintain the first mentioned end portion of the lever in the path of movement of said abutment member for restraining rotatable movement of the roll upon which said abutment member is mounted.

2. A towel dispensing timing device as set forth in claim 1 including a spring element secured to said one side wall and an adjacent surface of said operating lever for urging said lever about said vertical pivot into engagement with said cam side portion.

3. A towel dispensing timing device as set forth in claim 1 including a pair of brackets secured to said one side wall, said brackets presenting a pair of spaced, parallel, horizontal flanges, a pivot pin carried between said flanges and rotatably connected to said operating lever, said pin having a flattened end portion, and a threaded fastener secured to one of said brackets and having one end thereof engageable in close proximity to a side of said flattened end portion of said pin for limiting longitudinal movement of said fastener.

4. In a towel dispenser having a pair of spaced side walls and a pair of rolls journaled therebetween, a timing device comprising a cam directly connected with one of said rolls for rotation therewith, said cam including a helical cam side portion and a projecting abutment finger, an operating lever pivotally secured to one of said side walls and having an end portion engaged with said helical cam, a vacuum cup secured to the opposite end of said lever and adapted to engage and adhere to said one side wall to temporarily maintain the first-mentioned end pprtion of the lever in the path of movement of said abutment finger to prevent rotation of said rolls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 555,998 Bishop Mar. 10, 1896 2,120,023 DeBersaques June 7, 1938 2,202,183 Wooster May 28, 1940 2,215,953 Birr Sept. 24, l940 2,369,851 Price et al Feb. 20, 1945 2,694,430 Andershock 2. Nov. 16, 1954 

